john 18:37-38 what is truth? the truth about reality is knowable the opposite of true is false the...
TRANSCRIPT
John 18:37-38John 18:37-38
WHAT IS TRUTH?WHAT IS TRUTH?
The Truth About Reality is Knowable
The Opposite of True is False
The Truth Matters
“One who claims to be a skeptic of one set of beliefs is actually a true believer in another set of beliefs.”- Phillip E. Johnson
The Five Most Important The Five Most Important Questions In Life Questions In Life
Origin: Where did we come from?
Identity: Who are we?
Meaning: Why are we here?
Morality: How should we live?
Destiny: Where are we going?
Three Religious World Views:Three Religious World Views:
Religious
Humanism
No God At All
Zen Buddhism
Hinduism
New Age
God Is All
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
God Made All
ATHEISMPANTHEISMTHEISM
Problems With Christianity:Problems With Christianity:
Intellectual – problem of evil, objections of many scientistsEmotional – Christian exclusivism, doctrine of hell, hypocrisy of Christians…Volitional – Rejection of Christian morality that seems to restrict our choices in life.
Whatever You Accept, You Whatever You Accept, You Accept On FaithAccept On Faith
“The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.”- Carl Sagan
How could he know that for sure?
Truth Can Be KnownTruth Can Be KnownIn Fact, We Demand It!
Loved OnesDoctorsStock BrokersCourtsEmployersAirlinesTeachers
But when it comes to religion we claim truth can’t be known?
Truth Can Be KnownTruth Can Be Known
We love the truth when it enlightens us but we hate it when it convicts us.-Augustine
Maybe we can’t handle the truth…
What is Truth?What is Truth?
That which corresponds to its object
That which describes an actual state of affairs
Truth… is telling it like it is!
The Truth About TruthThe Truth About TruthTruth excludes its opposite
Truth is discovered not invented
Truth is transcultural
Truth is unchanging
Beliefs cannot change truth…no matter how sincere they are
The Truth About TruthThe Truth About TruthTruth is not affected by the attitude of the person professing it
All truths are absolute
Contrary beliefs are possible - Contrary truths are not possible
If something is true, it is to be believed regardless of the consequences - personal tastes cannot negate truth.
There’s A Seventh Man!There’s A Seventh Man!
The Person Telling The Story!
Why Do People Believe Why Do People Believe Things?Things?
Consistency
Coherence
Completeness
Scripture
Pastor/ Priest
Guru
Rabbi
Imam
Church
Comfort
Peace of Mind
Meaning
Purpose
Hope
Identtity
Parents
Friends
Society
Culture
Philosophical
Reasons
Religious
Reasons
Psychological
Reasons
Social
Reasons
The Law of The Law of NoncontradictionNoncontradiction
Contradictory claims cannot both be true
Anyone who denies the Law of Noncontradiction should be beaten and burned until he admits that to be beaten is not to be beaten and to be burned is not to be burned! -Avicenna (Muslim Philosopher)
Law of the Excluded MiddleLaw of the Excluded Middle
Either something is or is not. There is no third option.
David HumeDavid HumePropositions can only be meaningful if they meet one of the following two conditions:
-abstract reasoning such as a mathematical equation or definition (2+2=4, all triangles have three sides)
OR-the claim can be verified empirically using one or more of the five senses(Only science can yield truth).
David HumeDavid HumeIs Mr. Hume’s Theory True By Definition?
NO!
May We Use Science To Verify It?
NO!
Therefore, By His Own Standard, Mr. Hume’s Theory is:
NONSENSE!
Immanuel KantImmanuel KantNo one can know anything about the real world. One can only know his own perception of it.
Immanuel KantImmanuel KantDoes Kant Claim To Know Something About The World?
YES!
…That You Can’t Know Anything About It!
How Do We Find Truth?How Do We Find Truth?
Use the tools God gave us:Logic
Observation
LogicLogic
All Men are Mortal
Dave is a Man
Therefore, Dave is Mortal
LogicLogic
All Men Have Four Arms
Dave is a Man
Therefore, Dave Has Four Arms
LogicLogic
All Men Have Four Arms
Dave is a Man
Therefore, Dave Has Four Arms
Logic + ObservationLogic + Observation
All Books Have At Least One Author(Based on Investigation)
This Is A Book(Based on Observation)
Therefore, This Book Has At Least One Author
Truth in Religion MattersTruth in Religion MattersWho wants to base their entire life on a lie?
Jesus claimed to have truth. Jn.14:6It is possible to evaluate that claim. It is essential to evaluate that claim.
Ac.17:24-32
ARE YOU WILLING ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK IT?TO RISK IT?